Team Builds Robot Skin

Scientists have developed a new type of artificial skin, which may one day cover robots or bring sensation to prosthetic limbs. This "robot skin," or e-skin made of semi-conductor materials, is flexible and is pressure sensitive, reports the Telegraph. The findings suggest researchers may be able to build robots with a grip delicate enough to hold an egg, but strong enough to grasp a frying pan, notes Reuters.

"The idea is to have a material that functions like the human skin, which means incorporating the ability to feel and touch objects," said a researcher. "If we ever wanted a robot that could unload the dishes, for instance, we'd want to make sure it doesn't break the wine glasses." That may soon be possible. But why stop at making eggs or doing the dishes? Click here to read about oil-spill-cleaning robots. (More robots stories.)